Strategic storytelling for brands with soul

Turning stories into strategy and strategy into content.

Recent work

  • BGF x Glossier

    Editorial Storytelling and Content Writing
    We interviewed and told the stories of 15 women entrepreneurs changing the face of beauty through BGF x Glossier’s Black Beauty Grant programme.

  • Puff Puff Ministry

    Brand Strategy, Positioning and Content
    Launching the UK's first West African dessert brand with a story that has attracted partnerships with Google, Netflix, Meta, and a national TV debut. 

  • ustwo × Where Are the Black Designers?

    Impact Report Writing
    Giving voice to a first-of-its-kind cultural and creative partnership. We translated 12 months of action into a story that would resonate across multiple industries and communities.

  • B Lab UK

    Storytelling Workshops

    B Corp certification is hard-earned, but many certified brands still struggle to communicate what it means to their customers and their team. Working with B Lab UK, we're delivering storytelling workshops for B Corps across the UK, helping them turn their purpose-led practices into stories people remember.

  • CardMedic

    Content and Copywriting
    Social content and thought leadership for a healthcare language app reducing communication barriers and health inequalities worldwide.

  • Phoenix

    Content and Social Strategy
    Brand launch strategy for a dancer ready to own the spotlight. We gave Phoenix a clear framework and content calendar for her mission to build confidence through movement.

  • Culturevated

    Content and Social Strategy
    Full launch strategy for an online marketplace to become the go-to destination for inclusive, luxury beauty and lifestyle products.

Our approach

Seek the unexpected

Your best stories already exist. Our job is to dig deeper to find them.

We ask the right questions, listen intently and uncover the rich stories already living within your business, team and community, finding the moments that surprise, delight and stay with people.

Then we bring them to life.

What are brands with soul?

Brands with soul care about people and profit in equal measure. They're not afraid to sound human, put people first, and build emotional connections that go beyond a transaction.

They have a distinct personality, and they're the ones you remember.

That's who we partner with.

Our belief

The most memorable brands serve people.

To build a lasting business, you need to tell great stories. 
To tell great stories, you need to care about people. 
To reach the people you care about, you need to be clear on your messaging. 

That’s where we come in.

What we bring to the table

We make brands memorable by turning storytelling into a strategic advantage for growth, connection, and longevity.

Together we’ll clarify your story, sharpen your positioning and messaging, and create content and campaigns that connect with the people you care about.

  • The richest stories are already living inside your brand. Most businesses are just too close to see them.

    We help you uncover what makes your brand memorable, then develop the positioning, messaging and brand voice your whole team can use consistently.

    Includes:

    • Brand positioning

    • Messaging framework

    • Brand voice and personality

    • Mission, vision and values

    • Competitive landscape analysis

    • Audience insights

    • Content strategy and planning

    • Content writing (social copy, impact reports, case studies, thought leadership, blogs, newsletters)

    • Organic and paid social media

    • Photography and video

  • Most impact reports are written to tick a box, not to be read. JAIKU changes that.

    We can support you with:

    • End-to-end impact reporting (strategy, narrative, and writing)

    • Impact report review and feedback

    • Impact storytelling workshops for teams

    • Annual report narrative strategy and copywriting

    • Storytelling workshops (for teams and business communities)

    • Speaking engagements

    • Leadership training

    • Guest lectures

Brands with soul get results

  • #2 traffic driver: LinkedIn became ustwo’s second-biggest source of website traffic after Google through our content and social strategy.

  • 622% increase in website traffic: In 24 hours following ustwo’s employee ownership campaign, alongside 55,000+ video views and 127,000+ impressions.

  • 20,000+ applications: A record-breaking number of internship applications for 10,000 Interns Foundation, alongside 1.2M LinkedIn ad impressions in two weeks.

  • Google, Netflix and Meta partnerships: Brand strategy and storytelling helped grow Puff Puff Ministry into a business that secured partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands.

See our work

  • “Marianne has brought true energy and impact to ustwo’s socials… driving uplift in engagement and web traffic. She brings a clear, consistent point of view and executes effortlessly.”

    Head of Growth and Marketing, ustwo

  • "JAIKU helped our community understand how to craft compelling stories. Marianne's infectious personality made it one of the most inspiring sessions we have ever delivered."

    Right Aligned Academy

  • “Marianne made storytelling feel clear, practical, and genuinely inspiring — with plenty of lightbulb moments and actionable takeaways.”

    Black Income Creators

  • "We are up on last year's first 48-hour application numbers in just 8 hours. Record breaking!! Thank you for being such a steady pair of hands and jumping in headfirst."

    CEO, 10,000 Interns Foundation

  • "Marianne gave an extremely impressive presentation on social media skills and tips at a business and networking event."

    Co-Founder, Podium.me

  • "You've elevated every blog post we've published, and created beautiful and captivating stories."

    CEO, ustwo Studios

  • "Marianne is an exceptional person to have on your team as she consistently strives to deliver outstanding results - and it shows in every project she's done."

    Head of Marketing, Invyted

How we work

We all do our best work when we care.

That's why we commit our expertise and resources to purpose-led brands that put people first. We call them brands with soul.

No fads

We create beyond trends, and we focus on metrics that matter to you.

We carry your matter on our head

This is a popular Nigerian saying that means we are as serious about your brand as you are.

Rooted in community and people

We are human-centred storytellers. We care about people, our clients, and the work we do together.

We lead with clarity

We prioritise clarity in everything we write, think, and say.

Our newsletter

The Business of Storytelling is your guide to crafting better stories to grow your business and connect with your community.

Join our newsletter for insights and tips on the most important superpower of all — storytelling.